Jason DaCosta Leads Strong Hand in Split Bartley Memorial Trophy at Caymanas Park

Reigning champion trainer Jason DaCosta appears best placed to dominate today's split staging of the $1.25-million Hubert "Chinna" Bartley Memorial Trophy at Caymanas Park.

DaCosta has American Aviator entered in Division 1 and Derby and St Leger winner I Dream Again in Division 2. Each division is an Overnight Allowance event run over seven furlongs, or 1,400 metres.

Division 1 is scheduled as the eighth race with a 4:25 pm post time. Division 2 closes the programme as the tenth race, going at 5:40 pm.

American Aviator has registered two wins from seven starts so far this season and arrives in form to take another victory. He ran a solid three-length second to Nautical Star over this trip on May 25. Earlier, on May 10 over nine furlongs, or 1,800 metres, he was denied by only a head behind Sensational Soul.

Morning work points to readiness. On Saturday, June 13, he galloped six furlongs, or 1,200 metres, in 1:12.0. On Wednesday, June 17, he covered seven furlongs in 1:39.0. On Saturday, June 20, he galloped five furlongs, or 1,000 metres, in 1:02.1. On that evidence, American Aviator looks capable of winning with something to spare.

Mark My Identity, who finished six lengths behind Nautical Star and American Aviator last time out, should fill the runner-up spot. He too has trained sharply, galloping six furlongs in 1:16.1 on Saturday, June 20. Wicked Cassie and Miss Grove are also expected to figure in the placings.

I Dream Again, last year's Jamaica Derby and St Leger champion, should face limited opposition in Division 2. The four-year-old bay colt has raced twice at this grade this season, finishing second and fifth, both times over five furlongs on the straight course — a trip that does not suit him as well. He is far more effective at today's distance. His most recent seven-furlong win came by two and a half lengths in 1:26.4, form that ought to carry him past this field.

Boss Man poses the chief threat. The Peter-John Parsard-trained runner has impressed in morning work, covering four furlongs in 49.2 on Sunday, June 14 and repeating the distance in 46.4 a week later. He must be respected. Allegiance, Shooting Star and Fortuna Belle are also worth noting.

Race-by-race selections: Race 1 — Delta Gamma, Imaginearium, Pow Wow; Race 2 — KP Choice, I Am Fred, Cryptogirl; Race 3 — Amazing Force, Princess Fiannie, Design Diva; Race 4 — Native Alliance, Never, Lil' Maggie; Race 5 — Linstead Market, Blood Moon, Jack Daniel; Race 6 — Civic Illusion, Gulfstream Cat, For My Love; Race 7 — Big Guy In The Sky, Stein, Time Bomb; Race 8 — American Aviator, Mark My Identity, Miss Grove; Race 9 — Dutchess, Summer Palace, Margarita; Race 10 — I Dream Again, Boss Man, Shooting Star.